Alexi Markham Partner


Speaks:  English

Qualified: 2009 - Solicitor of England & Wales


Primary office:  London




Alexi Markham

Alexi Markham is a London based partner who specialises in advising Government Departments, wider public sector bodies and private companies on their commercial contracts and procurements.

Alexi has extensive experience of the full range of commercial contracts, from day-to-day business contracts such as terms and conditions for the purchase and sale of goods and services to complex business transformation contracts, such as multi-million pound outsourcing agreements. Alexi helps clients to find pragmatic solutions to achieve their commercial objectives - whether that's improving services, achieving better value for money, driving innovation, entering new markets, increasing sales or building their brand - whilst operating within an acceptable envelope of risk.

Alexi has an in-depth understanding of the commercial and political environments in which her clients operate. Her numerous secondments means she has experienced first-hand the pressures and constraints on in-house legal teams and government lawyers and she thrives working alongside commercial, procurement, policy and finance teams.

Experience

  • A nine month secondment to help establish and operate the NHS Test and Trace Programme means Alexi has extensive experience of the inner workings of central government. Alexi led a team focusing on the multi-billion procurement of IT, Contact Centre Services, Genomics, Professional Services and Research. Balancing and reporting on legal, financial and political risk was key to the role. As the second lawyer recruited to the team, Alexi helped to recruit and design the legal function, as well as the wider governance and approvals structures. Alexi worked closely with GLD, DHSC LA, policy, commercial and finance teams on legal issues including contracts, procurement, grants, litigation and regulatory issues.
  • Advising a leading NHS Foundation Trust on a number of different outsourcing and PPP projects, including the redesign and outsourcing of services provided from existing hospital facilities, the opening and operation of specialist community facilities, and the formation of a long term partnership focused on market expansion in the UK and internationally, and the outsourcing of theatre operations and the design and build of new facilities.
  • Advising a Central Government Department on a national polling programme, which included running over 17 different procurements for goods and services including recruitment, IT applications, IT integration and assurance services, IT and telecoms hardware, consultancy, logistics and advertising services. As lead associate, Alexi advised on structuring the procurements so as to deliver value for money and ensure consistency across an integrated programme. She led a team on the drafting and negotiation of the contractual documentation (including detailed service specifications) and played the lead role in project management and client relations.
  • Advising a Central Government Department on its multi-billion procurement via competitive dialogue to find an outsourced training provider. The two year project involved consolidating services provided by 30 different incumbent providers into a single contract and complex payment, KPI and service specifications in order to ensure the Department receives a seamless service. Alexi led a cross firm team to work closely with the project team and their financial advisors to develop and contractualise the commercial model and lead negotiations with three bidders to conclusion.
  • Advising the Cabinet Office on a significant overhaul of the Model Services Contract as part of a seven-month secondment on-site in Whitehall. Working with GLD and policy teams, Alexi conducted cross-government and industry consultations to explore best practice in government contracting and to draw on lessons learned to deliver a new contract and policies.
  • The Abu Dhabi Government-owned operator of hospitals, on redesigning their standard contract for outsourcing the operation of state owned hospitals.
  • Advising private companies on the full suite of their procurement documents, including conducting procurement reviews (working closely with the client to understand their procurement needs and to develop bespoke procurement documents, guidance, processes and training to redesign their procurement process).

Career & Recognition

Filter timeline:
  • 2022

    • Career
      May 2022
      Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, partner
  • 2016

    • Career
      July 2016
      Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, principal associate
    • Career
      February 2016
      Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, senior associate
  • 2012

    • Career
      October 2012
      UK Cabinet Office (Secondment)
  • 2010

    • Career
      June 2010
      Premier Foods (Secondment)
    • Career
      February 2010
      Abu Dhabi Office (Secondment)
  • 2009

    • Career
      April 2009
      Unilever (Secondment)
    • Qualifications (Year of Call/Admission, etc.)
       2009
      Qualified, Solicitor of England & Wales
  • 2005

    • Education
      August 2005
      University of Bristol, Chemistry and Law Bsci